Hooking Inner-City Neighbors with a Fish Farm

by Joanne Camas

on 10/21/11 at 09:00 AM

Something fishy is happening in the Idora neighborhood of Youngstown, Ohio, but local people are delighted, not suspicious.

Parkview Community Garden members are planning to build a tilapia farm in a large vacant garage across the street from their vegetable plots. The farm will use an aquaponics system to raise nutritious tilapia year-round. Aquaponics is a circular system where the fish and plants nourish each other, so it's all-natural and sustainable.

We caught up with project manager Steve Novotny and asked him why they settled on fish, who will benefit from the project, and how the community is supporting the tilapia farm.

Why did you decide to raise tilapia rather than, say, chickens?

We chose tilapia because of their hardiness. They tolerate fluctuations in water quality very well and aren't picky eaters. As long as we can keep the water temperature to their liking, they will grow rather quickly and reproduce naturally. Currently there are lots of hoops to jump through if you want to raise other types of livestock in the city, including chickens.

Are you modeling your project on a similar one in another community?

Other projects that we've looked at for inspiration include Growing Power in Milwaukee and the Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) in Buffalo. This project will be a first of its kind in area neighborhoods.

Will you sell the fish at a reasonable price, or will people who volunteer enjoy a share of the fish for their contribution?

Initially the fish produced will be for those in the neighborhood who contribute to the project. Once the system matures and we figure out the carrying capacity, we'll determine how much we could sell or if we are able to expand the system to produce more fish. Prices would be competitive with those you find at the local grocery stores.

How are you learning about aquaponics? Do you have a local expert who volunteers?

We've learned about aquaponics through site visits and speaking with those who are involved in the Growing Power and MAP projects. We've also worked with a professor of Civil Engineering at Youngstown State University who specializes in aquatic systems.

Will you use the fish farm as an opportunity to educate local young people about sustainability and nutrition?

Absolutely! The neighborhood has a very active 4H group that will be able to get a lot of hands-on experience with local food production through the aquaponics project.

Read on to find out what the fish farm's neighbors think, and to get delicious tilapia recipes.

Do your neighbors have any concerns about the fish plan?

No, since the system is to be housed in a formerly vacant garage, the site is entirely secure. You can drive right by it and never know that the garage is producing fresh vegetables and fish! The neighbors are directly involved in the project and are very excited about it.

Is the community garden split into individual plots that families plant? Do you have a lot of members?

The community garden consists of raised beds of different sizes. Each participant chooses their own plot to cultivate and maintain. There are about 20 active participants at the Parkview Community Garden, and there are four gardens throughout the neighborhood and an additional market garden in the works.

Are you a fish fan yourself?

Yes, I love eating fish. I and the rest of the Parkview Gardeners can't wait to enjoy the fresh and naturally raised tilapia we'll be growing!